A Note on Maritime Delimitation in a Multizonal Context: The Case of the Mediterranean

This article points out some of the issues that may arise during the delimitation of maritime boundary in a sea area where coastal states have proclaimed various maritime zones. Issues considered include delimitation in the presence of overlapping or coincident zones, the role of existing boundaries, use of all-purpose maritime boundaries, and the delimitation of future zones. Special reference is made to the Mediterranean Sea where coastal states have advanced various claims consisting of zones sometimes different from the ones provided for in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.     

The Near-bottom Layer as an Ecological Boundary in Marine Ecosystems: Diversity, Taxonomic Composition and Community Definitions

The near-bottom layer of the ocean represents a boundary between two oceanic biotopes (pelagial and benthal), and as a result, the animal populations living in this habitat belong to various diverse ecological groups. There is a profusion of terms to designate the organisms which live near the sea bottom, both in relation to their behaviour and to boundary-layer hydrodynamics. Do the fauna living above the sea bottom form a true community? Should the fauna in this habitat be considered as a true community or a mixed assemblage comprised of benthic and pelagic organisms? Between 1988 and 1996, more than 500 suprabenthic hauls were taken with a modified Macer-GIROQ sledge at 15 sites in the English Channel and the Seine Estuary (5–70 m), at 13 sites on the southern edge of the Cap Ferret Canyon (Bay of Biscay, 350–1100 m), and at 8 sites on the Atlantic seamounts south of the Azores (260–2235 m). This intensive sampling permitted the collection of more than several hundred species and will serve to facilitate discussion concerning the biodiversity of the fauna collected near the sea bottom. This paper proposes that in the estuary, the near-bottom layer is colonized by a mixed assemblage of both pelagic and benthic organisms, while in the coastal and in the bathyal zones, the response to the gradual extinction of light and the decreasing benthic resuspension at near-bottom depths leads to an ecocline.     

基于景观可达性的广州市林地边界动态分析

林地边界是景观边界中一种特殊类型,受综合因素的影响而呈现动态变化,其发生位移的位置和方向能清晰地反映出该地段的土地利用过程和强度。通过对广州市1985年、1995年和2007年的土地利用数据进行分析,基于市内主要公路的分布进行景观可达性分区,提取林地边界并根据边界性质进行分类分析,着重研究了林地边界的动态变化特征。结果表明,研究时段内广州市林地面积相对稳定,而林地斑块数量和林地边界总长度持续增加,林地呈现出边界复杂化和景观破碎化的趋势。广州市林地的邻接景观以耕地为绝对优势的局面因建设用地和水域的增加而打破,表现为林地与耕地邻接边界长度迅速减少,而林地与水域、林地与建设用地邻接边界显著增加。从1985年到2007年,林地与耕地邻接边界的减少速度随着与主要公路距离的增加而变缓;林地与建设用地邻接边界增速最快的区域逐渐远离主要公路;林地与水域邻接边界更多分布于主要公路1km以外的区域,且随着时间推移逐渐靠近主干道路。     

Bioturbational disturbance of the Cretaceous-Palaeogene (K-Pg) boundary layer: Implications for the interpretation of the K-Pg boundary impact event

Detailed field observations across and along the Cretaceous-Palaeogene (K-Pg) boundary interval in the Caravaca section, SE Spain, together with laboratory analyses reveal a well-developed lowermost Danian dark-colored trace fossil assemblage. The trace fossils range continuously from the bioturbated horizons in the dark boundary layer (lowermost Danian), to the uppermost Maastrichtian sediments. The rusty boundary layer at the base of the dark boundary layer, usually related to the K-Pg boundary impact, is traditionally considered as undisturbed. However, ichnological analysis at the Caravaca section shows that this rusty boundary layer is cross-cut vertically by Zoophycos and Chondrites, but also penetrated laterally by Chondrites, revealing an important colonization of the substrate. Stereomicroscope analysis shows sharp burrow margins of dark-colored Chondrites directly against the surrounding red sediment of the rusty layer. Colonization of unfavorable substrates by Zoophycos and Chondrites tracemakers, as that represented by the rusty boundary layer, was possible because of constructing of open, probably of actively ventilated burrows that facilitate colonization of sediments poor in oxygen and food. Significant bioturbational disturbance of the rusty layer can cause vertical and horizontal redistribution of the components related to the K-Pg boundary impact and, in consequence, to induce erroneous interpretations. A detailed ichnological analysis of the K-Pg boundary interval, with special attention to the rusty layer, reveals an essential tool to avoid misinterpretations.     

贵州喀斯特山区人工草地-农田景观土壤温度界面季节性变化

景观界面是生态交错区的重要组成部分,在生态系统的结构、过程和功能中发挥了重要的作用。以贵州喀斯特山区人工草地-农田景观界面为研究对象,对界面表层土壤(0—20 cm)温度进行季节性监测;采用移动窗口法、野外测定和室内统计相结合,对以土壤温度为参数的界面宽度的大小进行了判定;对研究区3个功能区土壤温度进行比较分析。结果表明:贵州人工草地-农田景观界面四季表层土壤的平均温度分别为9.8,26.5,15.4℃和4.8℃;人工草地-农田景观春、夏、秋、冬四季土壤温度界面宽度随土壤温度的变化而变化,表现为由宽变窄的变化规律,分别为37,32,27 m和24 m,土壤温度界面在人工草地系统的影响域变化与总界面宽度保持一致。研究区四季农田功能区系统、人工草地-农田复合功能区系统和人工草地功能区系统的平均土壤温度为14.0,14.1℃和13.9℃,春季、夏季和冬季研究区3个功能区的土壤温度均呈极显著差异,秋季农田功能区系统与人工草地-农田复合功能区系统的土壤温度差异不显著,二者与草地功能区系统差异极显著。建议对研究区采用12—18 m的宽度进行草田间作,为丰富界面理论及"退耕还草"工程提供理论参考和实践措施。     

气孔表面上边界层阻力的进一步计算

把气孔截面看作椭圆面,把每个气孔表面上的边界层区域看作棱柱形区域,在该区域内建立一个三维气体扩散模型。通过应用计算机对模型中的气体扩散方程进行迭代计算,获得比以往更为精确的计算气孔表面上边界层阻力的公式。而该公式与Brown和Escombe的以及Cooke的公式比较,发现在气孔开度变化相当大的范围内,用后面两公式计算气孔外端效应阻力引起的相对误差为10～20％左右。     

The Ordovician-Silurian boundary stratotype: consequences of its approval by the IUGS

Lespérance, Pierre J., Barnes, Christopher R., Berry, William B. N., Boucot, Arthur J. & Mu En-zhi 1987 07 15: The Ordovician-Silurian boundary stratotype: consequences of its approval by the IUGS.
The Ordovician-Silurian stratotype at Dob's Linn, Scotland is the second systemic boundary approved by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS). A review of the internationally accepted criteria required of a stratotype shows that few of these are possessed by the Dob's Linn section. The strongest attribute of the section is the presence of zonal graptolites, although the boundary is recognized primarily on a single biological event (base of acuminatus Zone) for which the evolutionary relationships of the taxa are not established. In approving this boundary proposal in 1985, which received only simple majority support within the Ordovician-Silurian Boundary Working Group (OSBWG) and which fails to meet most of the accepted prerequisites for a stratotype, the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) and the IUGS have established an unfortunate precedent. It follows that future systemic boundaries need not meet the accepted standards. It raises serious questions on the assessment and voting procedures of the International Commission on Stratigraphy and on the credence accorded the recommendations developed by the International Subcommission on Stratigraphic Classification of IUGS.     

景观边界研究概况

景观边界指在特定时空尺度下 ,相对均质的景观之间所存在的异质景观[6 9] 。过去 ,生态学家的注意力往往集中在景观边界两侧的同质区域来研究生态系统的结构和过程 ,忽视生态系统间的异质区域 ,它们在地图上往往被忽视或缩成一条线。但是 ,景观边界是一个客观存在的空间实体 ,有自己特定的结构和功能。由于景观边界包含有不同类型和不同尺度上的均质景观和异质景观 ,因而它具有等级结构[13] ,同时景观边界都有长度和宽度 ,在此范围内 ,相邻景观单元的小斑块交叉出现 ,因此景观边界是相邻景观单元相互转化的发生区。从景观的演替过程可以看出…     

生态环境脆弱带ECOTONE的基础判定

ECOTONE为国际生态界最近重新定义的基本概念之一。本文在诠释生态环境脆弱带的定义之后,对其实质及其空间属性作了较全面的逻辑归纳。在进一步研究的基础上,对于生态环境脆弱带作出了独立的函数表达,并且就生态环境脆弱带的宽度指标、重迭度指标、脆弱度指标、综合性指标,提出了较严格的表述形式。它们吸收了生态界面理论,并把系统生态学中的非稳定性理论,广延为辨识“全球变化”的基本手段,从而在生态学理论与应用两个方面,体现了研究的意义和价值。     

A simple method for determining the boundary layer resistance in leaf cuvettes

Abstract. A new method is described for determining the boundary layer resistance over wet filter paper exposed within a leaf cuvette, based on the energy balance of the filler paper. The boundary layer resistance is calculated by an iterative procedure from measurements of the relative humidity and temperature of the air in the cuvette. Comparisons between the new and the conventional method, involving measurement of the filter paper temperature, show close agreement.
To simplify the method further, a graph has been constructed for the relationship between boundary layer resistance and cuvette relative humidity at temperatures from 15 to 35°C, determined at one value of the ratio of the flow rate through the cuvette to the filter paper area.
An analysis of errors suggests that the new method is less sensitive than the conventional to errors in temperature and humidity.     

江西二叠－三叠系界线

本文描述了江西省北部、中部、南部地区二叠－三叠系界线剖面各１条,对每条剖面进行沉积相分析,从生物地层学角度论证其界线存在的可靠性。Ｈｉｎｄｅｏｄｕｓｐａｒｖｕｓ在江西修水清水岩乡东岭的发现是中国的又一新发现地区。二叠－三叠纪生物地层界线以Ｈ．ｐａｒｖｕｓＭｏｒｐｈｏｔｙｐｅ１的首次出现为难;“界线粘土”层的底界属二叠－三叠系事件地层界线,与生物地层界线不是一回事,生物地层界线比事件地层界线在江西约高出１６─２０ｃｍ;建议在二叠－三叠系界线研究中,最好不用“混生层”或“过渡层”,而改为界线地层或界线层。     

How to lift a model for individual behaviour to the population level?

The quick answer to the title question is: by bookkeeping; introduce as p(opulation)-state a measure telling how the individuals are distributed over their common i(ndividual)-state space, and track how the various i-processes change this measure. Unfortunately, this answer leads to a mathematical theory that is technically complicated as well as immature. Alternatively, one may describe a population in terms of the history of the population birth rate together with the history of any environmental variables affecting i-state changes, reproduction and survival. Thus, a population model leads to delay equations. This delay formulation corresponds to a restriction of the p-dynamics to a forward invariant attracting set, so that no information is lost that is relevant for long-term dynamics. For such equations there exists a well-developed theory. In particular, numerical bifurcation tools work essentially the same as for ordinary differential equations. However, the available tools still need considerable adaptation before they can be practically applied to the dynamic energy budget (DEB) model. For the time being we recommend simplifying the i-dynamics before embarking on a systematic mathematical exploration of the associated p-behaviour. The long-term aim is to extend the tools, with the DEB model as a relevant goal post.     

Vegetation boundary detection: A comparison of two approaches applied to field data

We examined and compared two approaches to vegetation boundarydetermination by applying them to field data collected from Betsch Fen, analkaline wetland in Ohio, USA. Two boundary detection methods were used to testhypothesized boundary locations determined through field observations: gradientanalysis by detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and the moving split-window(MSW) technique. These two methods represent approaches suggested by vegetationanalysis and landscape ecological literature, respectively. DCA was moresuccessful in detecting vegetation changes at the community level, but it wasoften difficult to extrapolate this information to a landscape context. Incontrast, MSW detected changes at a landscape level which overestimated minorshifts in species composition at the community level. Although results from MSWwere more easily interpretable, neither method completely confirmedhypothesizedboundary locations derived from field reconnaissance and aerial photo analysis.While DCA and MSW can be used in conjunction to provide maximum information onboundary location and ecological significance, this would be unrealistic inpractical applications because of the time and effort required to do bothsimultaneously. We suggest an approach using primarily MSW principles, whichtake into consideration community-level information and optimum sampling plotplacement and spacing.     

Influence of boundary conditions on computed apparent elastic properties of cancellous bone

High-resolution finite element models of trabecular bone can be used to study trabecular structure–function relationships, elasticity, multiaxial strength, and tissue remodelling in more detail than experiments. Beside effects of the model size, scan/analysis resolution, segmentation process, etc., the type of the applied boundary conditions (BCs) have a strong influence on the predicted elastic properties. Appropriate BCs have to be applied on hexahedral digital finite element models in order to obtain effective elastic properties. Homogeneous displacement BCs as proposed by Van Rietbergen et al. (J Biomech 29(12):1653–1657, 1996) lead to “apparent” rather than to “effective” elastic properties. This study provides some answers concerning such differences by comparing various BC types (uniform displacement, mixed BCs, periodic BCs), different volume element definitions (original and mirrored models), and several bone volume fractions (BVTV ranging from 6.5 to 37.6%). First, the mixed BCs formulated by Hazanov (Arch Appl Mech 68(6):385–394, 1998) are theoretically extended to shear loading of a porous media. Second, six human bone samples are analyzed, their orthotropic Young’s moduli, shear moduli, and Poisson’s ratios computed and compared. It is found that the proposed mixed BCs give exactly the same effective elastic properties as periodic BCs if a periodic and orthotropic micro-structured material is used and thus denoted as “periodicity compatible” mixed uniform BCs (PMUBCs). As bone samples were shown to be nearly orthotropic for volume element side lengths ≥5 mm the proposed mixed BCs turn out to be the best choice because they give again essentially the same overall elastic properties as periodic BCs. For bone samples of smaller dimensions ( < 5 mm) with a strong anisotropy (beyond orthotropy) uniform displacement BCs remain applicable but they can significantly overestimate the effective stiffness. In Memoriam, Prof. Christian Huet.     

演化速度与孢粉界线

首次应用孢粉学数据来确定大演化与小演化的速度,并以此解释了俄罗斯东北部（从滨海区南部至楚柯特卡）白垩纪植物群连贯与不连贯的发展阶段。     

Sodium Passivation of the Grain Boundaries in CuInSe2 and Cu2ZnSnS4 for High‐Efficiency Solar Cells

It is well known that sodium at grain boundaries (GBs) increases the photovoltaic efficiencies of CuInSe₂ and Cu₂ZnSnS₄ significantly. However, the mechanism of how sodium influences the GBs is still unknown. Based on the recently proposed self‐passivation rule, it is found that the dangling bonds in the GBs can completely be saturated through doping the Na, thus GB states are successfully passivated. It is shown that the Na can easily incorporate into the GB with very low formation energy. Although Cu can also passivate the GB states, it requires a copper rich condition which, however, suppresses the formation of copper vacancies in the bulk and thus decreases the concentration of hole carriers, so copper passivation is practically not as beneficial as sodium. The present work reveals the mechanism about how the Na enhances the photovoltaic performance through passivating the dangling bonds in the GBs of chalcogenide semiconductors, and sheds light on how to passivate dangling bonds in GBs with alterative processes.     

The benthic boundary layer approach and its application to Lake Päijänne,Finland

Resuspension of bottom sediments is the net result of a wide variety of different fluid mechanical processes with characteristic time and length scales that extend over six orders of magnitude. The sum of these effects is most heavily concentrated in a layer adjacent to the bottom called the benthic boundary layer (BBL). The physics of BBL must be understood before improved solutions to the resuspension problem are possible. Traditionally in lakes, sedimentation and resuspension have been modelled with the aid of equations which ignore the time and space variations of near bottom processes. This can lead to wrong estimates of material transport. With the exception of few recent studies, benthic boundary layer approach has been mainly applied to marine environments. The instrumentation has been a major problem for development of the theory and its applications, but during recent years some new instruments have been giving promising results. This paper discusses the applicability of the theory in Finnish lakes and presents results from Lake Päijänne.     

Retrograde evolution of Albaillella during the Permian-Triassic crisis

In the present paper, we discuss the evolution of an upper Permian anagenetic lineage of polycystine radiolarians belonging to the genus Albaillella. This genus is characterized by increasing curvature of the shell during the upper Permian and the trend is reversed (proteromorphic retrogradation) in the Lower Triassic with the sudden appearance of forms that are homeomorphic to the earliest Permian representative of the genus. These primitive-looking forms are derived from their immediate ancestors by retrograde evolution, a phenomenon which has been described as proteromorphosis.     

Genetic structure of Pinus henryi and Pinus tabuliformis: Natural landscapes as significant barriers to gene flow among populations

Mountains as natural barriers often have important effects on intraspecific genetic structure through restraining gene flow and enhancing differentiation among populations. While the Qinling and Daba mountains are considered significant geographic barriers, dividing China into temperate and subtropical regions, little is known about how this barrier influences the genetic patterns of sister species represented in distinct habitats. In this study, we analyzed genetic differentiation and the geographic boundary between Pinus henryi and Pinus tabuliformis using chloroplast microsatellite markers. Our data show high levels of among-population differentiation, consistent with the effects of historical demographic bottlenecks, local adaptation and climate effects. Three main geographic boundaries coinciding with mountain systems indicate natural landscapes, such as large rivers, and habitat loss caused by anthropogenic deforestation, are significant barriers to genetic exchange among populations. The divergence between populations in the eastern and western Qinling Mountains populations may possibly be ascribed to fragmentation driven by climate change. The genetic boundary of P. henryi and P. tabuliformis generally coincides with the previous morphological dividing line based on the unweighted pair group method using arithmetic averages and on spatial analysis of molecular variance.